Stella Belle Peppy April 3 2013-September 23 2013

There's a big hole in my heart.
Stella is no longer with us. I had to make "that call" on Monday.
I am not going to go into details because I don't know all the answers yet to the inevitable questions, just suffice to say that it was neurological and it was quick (27 hours from onset to no hope left) and ugly. I am awaiting the results of a neuro panel blood test.
This is my tribute to the horse that I thought would be my heart horse, my companion and dream horse, the one I waited years for.

Birthday, April 3rd

She knew she was mine.

I loved to watch her bust out her dance moves.....

I nicknamed her Stella the Stalker because she would follow close behind me

She brought me joy just watching her.....

My beautiful, perfect Stella Belle.

Forever in my heart.

Two minutes of silence...

Oh no.

“Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened.”

Soft away the old year passes....

I've been reading a lot of reviews of 2011 on blogs, and my life seems pretty tame compared to others. There were some highlights, like going to Kamloops with my sister (and getting to drive the Dodge Charger) to visit my dad, who is in declining health.

I come by my love of dogs honestly

Another highlight was my trip to Red Deer with Janice, to watch the events of the Canadian Cowhorse Supreme and meet up with Crystal (Ranch Riding) and her friend Charlene, and Sherry (Fern Valley Appaloosas). Good friends, good weather, and good horses = a good but short vacation.

We had a few canine type highlights too- the Stock Dog Championships that Janice and I attended,

I loved seeing so many border collies all in one place- and everyone of them watching the sheep

and a lesson with sheep for our dogs: finding the right home for Sammi: 

and having a new little bundle of fluff in our lives- Merle!

As far as the horses go, it was pretty well all good, only a couple of hitches like Rio getting  banged up and coming off Gussie.  Getting Gussie back in February was for sure a wonderful moment (Thanks Pat! She is loved and cherished here!) 

Reunited with her daughter Velvet

Finding a new home for Velvet was a good thing, even though she didn't get to stay with Jessie she is now ruling the roost over in central Alberta. 

That helped me to buy my new custom-built-for-Beamer Wade saddle:

After riding it for a while, it really is a good fit

One of the greatest joys was the birth of Diamond Rio Peppy (aka Rio).

5 days old, in full flight

He quickly became a favorite around here, with his sweet disposition and cute heart shaped star.

With my husband working away from home most of the year, we didn't do a lot of things together other than routine farm maintenance, but we did work an auction together. A big highlight for Ted was getting together with his son (who had been adopted at birth) and family this year. We are blessed to have them in our lives. 

The only really sad thing that happened was losing our old cat Bubby, who had been with us through thick and thin, and was one of the best cats ever.

Like I said, it was a pretty tame year, but the older I get, the better I like it that way. The only thing I'd like to improve on for 2012 is more time in the saddle especially with Chickory. And getting together with some of my blogging friends for a riding vacation in Alberta. 

From Diamond Lazy H to all of you who read my blog, I wish for a happy and prosperous 2012, full of love and laughter, and not too many heartaches. 

11/11/11 We will remember them

God bless all those who died for our freedom, and all those who continue to fight against evil and injustice throughout the world. I attended the ceremonies at the Legion today, so following is a photo essay of the tribute paid by our town. God bless our troops, and the children portrayed here who care enough to join Cadets and Scouts. I am particularly impressed with the Sentries at the cenotaph, who stood silent and unmoving for over half an hour in the pouring rain.

The Legion Colour Party

The parade led by one of our war vets

The Mounties resplendent in their Red Serge

The following two groups represent our hope for the Future.

Bless his heart!

Then there was the Salute from the local pilots- the "Fly-By" at the end of the two minutes of silence.

God bless my mom

I opted out of Sunday Stills today, mostly because today is Mother's Day, and I am missing my mom. I just can't get all fired up about doors and doorknobs as a subject for photography when I am thinking about my mom, and how I wish I could have been a better daughter to her, spent more time with her like my sister did, helped her more like my brother did, helped her financially like another sister did, loved her unconditionally like another sister does. I loved my mother, but kept at a distance from her, too busy with my own life and my own problems, selfish, willing only to do the minimal in keeping in touch. It was only in her last two years of life that I lived close enough to visit regularly, and even that I didn't do as much as I should have. 

Mom always prayed for all her children, and did penance for us. She had a very strong faith and deep love of God all her life. I think it's her prayers that brought me back to the church, after many years of a rather hedonistic lifestyle. She set a good example for us, and did her best to teach us right from wrong. She lived a hard life of poverty, and I never heard her wish for better things or complain that life was too hard; she'd just bear down and do whatever needed to be done.
I think that she found peace shortly before she died; the poem on my sidebar, "Happy Heart" was written by her about a month before she died.
Cherish your parents, and take the time to tell them you love them. They are a part of you as you are of them, and their passing takes part of you with them .

Nov.11 Remembering our soldiers

Written on the battlefield, by Canadian John McCrae:

There is an excellent post at Home on the Range about Remembrance day, please visit her.

I give thanks to all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending not only our country, but other countries as well.

"Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13

(Internet image of the Canadian War Cemetery in France)

Happy Anniversary to my husband

Today is our 14th anniversary, and it was a wonderful wedding- all horseback including the preacher- out at Anchor D Ranch.

Who says you can't ride in a dress? This photo is for Mercy!

Thanks Ted, for being the biggest part of my dreams come true!

Remember and pray for our soldiers.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders Fields.

- John McCrae

Wordless Wednesday

Death of a Legend

Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard.
These words from legendary horseman Ray Hunt echo throughout the years. I remember the first time I heard them, at a clinic given by Walt Vermadahl in 1990. Walt had been to some Ray Hunt clinics and shared what he learned with us. Those words have stayed with me, colouring my approach to horsemanship. Those words have helped me in life as well as in my relationship with horses.
The world has lost a legend, but his legacy lives on in every person who has embraced natural horsemanship, with every person who has learned to listen to the horse, to handle their horses with feel, timing and balance.
We and our horses owe Ray Hunt and the Dorrance brothers a debt of gratitude.
Ray, may your soul rest in well deserved peace.

Lest We Forget

Here's to the heroes who gave their lives

helping others

Who struggled through the horror of that day,

and reached deep within themselves, and learned how to pray.

Here's to the victims who died that day

For someone's political agenda, with their lives they paid.

May God have mercy on their souls.